If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Re: Why isn't my Queen laying?

That's something you'll never know for sure. I would ask her for a refund then also. A queen is no god if she doesn't lay eggs. Everyone has different experiences but personally, I like to buy local queens if I can. The stock is hardy to my area and if something goes wrong, I can get there quickly for a replacement if its available.
Some of the bigger guys do more businees with some of the Australian stock but I am guessing if you are buying a couple hundred queens and one is bad, they aren't as likely to "go under." If you only have a few hives, you need to get things immediately or you are done.

Re: Why isn't my Queen laying?

I'm not so sure i would go in panic mode.what breed is she,what are your tempatures outside,how did u release her.i've seen queens take up to 14 days to start laying good,and unless u direct released u don't know how long she's actually been out,also if she didn't get bred good,are there any drones up your way,she's obviously been excepted and as long as the bees have food they likely survive,surely someone should have queens available before long,besides it might save some work of combining and splitting,also was there any brood from the previous queen.not sure i understand u say an overwintered PACKAGE.

Re: Why isn't my Queen laying?

The temperature was fairly good and I know she was released in 3 days. The previous queen was a carniolan and there was little brood. I put a new Italian queen inside and there is no brood. Also, there are many drones outside. It was a spilt from last spring. Isn't it too late fro her to mate now??

Re: Why isn't my Queen laying?

Personally I would just take a frame of eggs from your other hive and see if it will prompt her to start laying herself. If not in another week, kill the queen and add another frame of eggs and see if your girls will make their own queen.
And I don't think it's ever to late to mate. Queens get hatched even in sept and as long as there are drones to mate with then all should be good. Heck, she might have just got back from a mating trip.

Re: Why isn't my Queen laying?

Originally Posted by jmgi

Who knows, maybe they got a good deal on virgin queens from Australia. She's defective so replace her soon with an American one this time. John

In our part of the world ( op is just a few miles from us) American queens are hard to get. Can't import them easily due to concerns about shb. Local queens won't be available for another month or more. Aussie queens are regularly available at this time of year.

Re: Why isn't my Queen laying?

Michael Bush, it has been 2 weeks now, however I checked the hives a few days ago. I will check the hive asap when I get the time and report back if I see any eggs. Can it be because the Queens were Carnie's before and now Italian.